Chinese teenager Zheng Qinwen suffered with menstrual cramps, as she lost to Poland's Iga Swiatek in the French Open fourth round, after taking a set off the world No.1.
Zheng, 19, looked on track for a major upset, when she claimed the opener in a tiebreak, before Swiatek took control to win 6-7(5) 6-0 6-2 for her 32nd straight victory.
Zheng said she had no pain during the opening set, but took a medical time out at 3-0 down in the second, having her back massaged on court, before going to the locker room and returning with her right thigh strapped.
"Yeah, the leg was also tough," said Zheng, ranked 74 in the world. "That compared to the stomach was easy... I cannot play my tennis, my stomach was too painful
"It's just girls things, you know. The first day is always so tough and then I have to do sport, and I always have so much pain in the first day.
"I couldn't go against my nature. I wish I can be a man on court, but I cannot in that moment.
"I really wish I can be a man, so that I don't have to suffer from this."
Zheng, who made her Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open this year, said she tried her best to compete, but was happy she had progressed to the second week.
"If I don't talk about today, I'm happy with my performance on this run and to play against the No.1 in the world," she added. "I felt I really enjoyed it on the court.
"If I don't have my stomach [pain], I think I could enjoy more, like to run better and to hit harder, to give more effort on court. It's a pity that I couldn't give what I want to give today.
"I just want it so that next time I play against her, I am in perfect shape."
Reuters
